Seifert shines as NZ down Afghanistan to complete highest successful T20 WC chase

In Chennai, New Zealand made history by chasing down Afghanistan's 182 runs for 6 runs, their highest run chase success in T20 World Cups. In addition, it was the highest target that was successfully pursued in T20Is against Afghanistan. The target appeared strong enough to test even New Zealand's deep batting lineup on a Chepauk surface that provided grip for slower balls and bounce for seamers. This was especially true considering that Afghanistan had never lost a T20I after posting 180 or more runs. When Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in his first over, NZ's goalpost appeared further away. Rachin Ravindra played all around a seam-up swinging delivery the next ball, leaving New Zealand two down within the first two overs. Finn Allen was beaten for pace. Tim Seifert's counterattacking innings in response would leave Afghanistan looking for answers. The in-form opener, also New Zealand's most prolific batter in this World Cup cycle, took on the seamers in the PowerPlay and then played Mujeeb with a straight bat, denying Afghanistan further inroads. He was partnered by Glenn Phillips for a quick fifty, stabilizing the innings and ensuring that the required rate was never out of reach. Rashid Khan struggled to gain control when he was first introduced following the PowerPlay. Even though the veteran spinner eventually struck back in his second over by bowling Phillips with a full delivery, the 74-run stand had already swung momentum strongly in New Zealand's favor. Phillips took him on with a six straight down the ground. Seifert, who was dropped by Rashid off his own bowling on 48, reached his fifty in 39 balls against Mohammad Nabi with a flat six. He also hit a four and a maximum in the same over before going deep in the same over. Mark Chapman then played a crucial role in keeping the chase on track. He was effective against Rashid and Mujeeb because he rotated the strike well and took care of loose deliveries. Even though Seifert fell for a fantastic 65 in an effort to end the game early, New Zealand was already in control and needed another 59 runs from 43 deliveries. With 13 balls remaining, Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner defeated the seamers at the end of the chase and secured victory without incident. In his four overs, Rashid Khan scored 36 runs, and Seifert struck out Nabi, who bowled only 18 runs. Afghanistan had earlier increased their total with a strong second innings. In the PowerPlay, New Zealand's seamers bowled with discipline. Lockie Ferguson struck twice in the sixth over, his first, to eliminate both openers. While Rahmanullah Gurbaz was undone by a slower ball that cut back and chopped onto the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran sliced a loose cut straight to point. At 72 for 2 after ten overs, Afghanistan needed to move quickly, and Gulbadin Naib, who was moved up to No. 3. Naib added 79 runs off 51 balls with Sediqullah Atal for the third wicket, hitting 3 fours and 4 sixes, pinching runs off Jimmy Neesham, Phillips, and Ravindra. Despite the fact that Atal was run out after top-edging a slower ball from Jacob Duffy, Naib went on to score fifty off thirty balls. He eventually fell to Ravindra, top-edging a slog back to the keeper. The late surge came in the final overs, with Darwish Rasooli chipping in briefly for 20 off 13 before falling to a slower ball from Matt Henry. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi provided late impetus, hitting three sixes between them to take Afghanistan to 182, a total that looked par but wasn't enough to stop New Zealand from getting two crucial points, in what's a difficult group also featuring South Africa.